Microsoft has moved to address concerns over how its web browser handles user privacy on the web by adding a feature that enables users to control 'cookies'.
vnunet.com, 21 Jul 2000
Microsoft has moved to address concerns over how its web browser handles user privacy on the web by adding a feature that enables users to control 'cookies'.
The facility, which will not be generally available for at least another month, will allow Internet Explorer (IE) 5.5 users to control their personal information on the web by managing cookies.
Cookies are software used by websites to collect data about visitors so that they can be identified when they revisit the site.
Microsoft said the changes are in response to complaints from consumers, privacy advocates and US government officials over how IE handles cookies. In a letter sent to the software giant in May, a group of 10 US state attorney generals said cookies raise serious privacy concerns because information gathered could be used to build user profiles.
The new feature will notify users through a pop-up window whenever a third-party cookie or a persistent cookie (one that stays on the machine for period of time) is served to their computer.
Users will then have the option of rejecting the cookie even if the default setting on their browsers automatically accepts them. Also a 'delete all cookies' button will be added to the primary internet options page to allow users to remove all cookies from their hard drives.
The new features were released in beta test form this week and will be released as a public beta test within four weeks. After testing, the facility will be available as a patch for IE 5.5 and is expected to be built into future versions of the browser.
Some privacy advocates have cautiously welcomed the move and believe it will force other browser developers to add similar functions. Jason Catlett, president of US privacy advocate group Junkbusters, said: "Netscape, which historically has had better privacy protection, will have to get to at least parity [now that] Microsoft has leapfrogged it."
Others warn that it will be years before the majority of surfers are protected from cookies because many users do not regularly update their browsers.
The feature in IE 5.5 will not affect other forms of cookies, such as those used to provide services such as daily weather reports.
Online privacy is becoming an increasingly hot topic as internet users become more and more worried about what information companies are collecting, buying and holding about them. Also of concern is how they use that information, and whether or not they need to ask permission to do so. We take a look at the issues.
Microsoft has released two separate security updates for Windows 2000 which, while of low to moderate importance, are further examples of the operating system's security weaknesses.
A privacy organisation has warned that authors can track the path of Microsoft Office documents by attaching so-called 'web bugs' to them before they are forwarded to recipients.
Microsoft has confirmed that a flaw could leave its Internet Explorer (IE) browser wide open for hackers to steal 'cookies'.
Remote access - Three steps to getting connected
3.4 million UK professionals now work from home – is your company equipped?
Cost benefits of a global collaboration network
This white paper is a must read for organisations looking for evidence of the bottom-line benefits of high-definition video and voice communications
Keep up to date with the latest products, services and technologies from the world's leading IT companies; IThound.com brings you over 6,000 white papers, case studies and analyst reports.
Join our live chat session on Thursday at 11am to...
Researchers from security firm FireEye have been able to effectively...
Do you agree?
Have your say on this article